My mutterings on life, thoughts and actions.

Candidate

The Copeland By-Election is possibly the biggest challenge the Labour Party has faced in recent times. If the party is going to regain the trust of the general public then this by-election is the biggest opportunity to show that we can come together as the broad church that has been our biggest strength in the past, and that we can campaign on fundamental Labour values and policies. It is this, and the fact it is very close to where I grew up that I have submitted my application to be the Labour Candidate and next Labour MP.

So, I’m thinking there will be some initial questions, so I figured a post outlining some of my thinking would be useful and if you want to know more, get in touch:

Why Stand?

I think that for the local residents, with the cuts to the local NHS services being driven through West Cumberland hospital and Keswick Community hospital, they are facing the brutal truth of what a Tory government means. The location is also key here too: many political organisations are so very London-centric that they forget just what it means to live in the North. The beauty of the Lake District can also make for significant living issues when infrastructure fails and always seems to be low on the list to be dealt with.

This is a key election for the future of the Labour Party too. We have spent a lot of time being inward looking and this is a huge opportunity to stop looking inwards and yoke our strengths together to defend our seat to send two messages. Firstly, to the rest of the party that we are strongest when we work together focused on delivering fundamental Labour Values. Secondly, to the Tories and Teresa May, that Cumbrians do not agree with her cuts to local services and that northern constituencies should not be ignored.

I think I am the right person to bring the party together to make sure we retain this seat and send those positive messages!

Local Candidate?

It is not that much of a secret that I was born and grew up in Cumbria. I am originally from Silloth and grew up there until joining the military and subsequent career in the defence industry meant moving around the country to follow the work. My family still live in Cumbria and we are regularly voyagers up the M6. This, for me, would be a return home bringing with me my family and my experiences. Though it is fair to say I’m somewhat dreading the childhood photos that are bound to be pulled out as a result of this.

What experience have you got?

I am currently a County Councillor and deputy leader of Gloucestershire Labour Group. I stood as a candidate for the Police and Crime Commissioner and have developed, led and worked on a broad range of campaigns from local and general elections to specific issues such as firefighter pensions, infrastructure issues and local magistrates courts closures.

I also have the experience in working for large industry, as well as founding and running my own business. This means I have a good understanding of the reliance of local industry working together, depending on each other to be successful.

What are the issues?

I think that on the surface, the main issues are stopping the cuts to the services at the hospitals, delivering a Brexit that works and driving the local economy, both the industrial, tourism and rural sides that have so much capability.

All Labour candidates will be highlighting these key issues, and quite right too. They speak to why we are all members of the Labour Party, they are issues that are founded in our democratic socialist principles. I think there is a greater underpinning issue that we need to engage with, and that is the electability of party representatives and that each individual member is important, not just the leader or London elite.

Are you a Career Politician?

It wasn’t too long ago that I got called a politician for the first time, and it has taken a while to accept it. However, my career has been spent in science and engineering: my background, education and jobs have all been around that. Even as recently as May, during the Police and Crime Commissioner election, when I was asked if I wanted to be an MP, my answer was no. By the same token, if you told me 6 years ago that I would now be involved in politics as a County Councillor, I would not have believe you. In fact, it wasn’t until this by-election came up, that the combination of constituency and circumstances have inspired in me the drive to be selected and represent Copeland.

What else?

If you have a question, please comment below or email barry@the-kirbys.co.uk and I will answer it.

Today is Election Day 2011, and the final straight in the race to become the next City Councillor in Quedgeley Fieldcourt. I have done all I can to convince people that I am a candidate worthy of voting for. People know I am a candidate that is willing to listen and someone who gets things done. People know I don’t take credit for work done by other people, and there is lots of evidence about what I can do. Today is all about asking people to make sure they use their vote.

Having switched the lights on in Quedgeley Labour HQ (My dining room), the day is looking promising in terms of weather and the quietness has a bit of the “calm before the storm” about it.

Over the City of Gloucester, Labour have 11 candidates, one candidate in each ward and while each of us getting elected on our own is a great thing, what is even better is what we can do as a team, so no matter where you are in Gloucester, Vote Labour.

This time last year I had just attended my first candidate briefing, and remember coming out of it feeling overloaded with information and dates and official paperwork to fill in.

Last night was this years briefing and it was much easier to understand what was going on having been through the process before.

The briefing, lead by Julian Wain, who is the returning officer for the election, gave us information on any new processes involved, the time-table of events and most importantly the paperwork we need to become officially nominated candidates. It’s also an oppotunity to ask questions and get clarifications where necessary.

This year will also see all the places on Quedgeley Parish Council up for election too, which also has a paperwork pack which needs filled out too.

What I like about the briefing most of all, it really is the start of the Election Period – having been here before, I have the basic experience under my belt and I can focus on what matters much more than the formalities.

I’m now really excited about the next couple of months and what it could mean for our community.

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Another step in my journey in political education happened today. Gloucester CLP (Constituency Labour Party) held a “Super Saturday”, the main aim being that the CLP can choose its candidates for the City Council Elections next May.

The selection of candidates is governed by the Labour Party Rule book and made what seemed like an easy process, rather complicated.

Basically, the candidate gives a short speech and then takes questions. The main audience are the EC (Executive Committee) members and the members of that Ward. The candidate then leaves the room and a vote is taken to accept the candidate (or not), the candidate is then informed of the result. Simples!

But no, not quite. Some candidates are also EC members and therefore should be in the audience, however they can not sit until they are chosen themselves (or not). I did not help matters by taking my Kids down as well as Amanda was helping with the NCT nearly new sale. Therefore the corridor was very crowded with candidates waiting their turn, ward members waiting to support their candidate, and my kids with their megablocks and stuff.

Anyway, I got in the room, and did my bit. I do always feel uncomfortable talking about myself and what I do, but I got over it and told everyone jsut how wonderful I am for a few minutes. The floor was then open for questions and I got asked about my top priority which I talked about the perception of anti-social behaviour and what I feel needs to be done, then we got into more questions on how to engage the youth better and the use of PCSOs .

I left the room and after a couple of minutes Sonia Friend came out and gave me the good news that I had been selected.

We did not select every ward candidate for a number of reasons, but I believe we got the majority of candidates in place, so Parmjit Dhanda could brief a good crew as to the campaigning that lies ahead.